EXCLUSIVE: McCann Manchester duo head up BBC Creative in North

Tim Jones and James Cross are to head up the BBC’s in-house creative agency in the North after joining from McCann Manchester.

The duo will join as Creative Directors in April, working on campaigns across all of the BBC’s programmes and services on TV, Radio, digital and online.

They have worked together as ‘Creative Heads’ at McCann Manchester for the last two years, and have also held senior roles at McCann’s offices in Birmingham, Prague and Berlin, as well as positions with JWT and BD Network.

Since teaming up together in 2007, prior to which James worked in A&R and Tim as a graphic designer, the pair have produced a variety of award winning work for brands such as Vauxhall and Harley-Davidson.

They also headed up accounts for some of the UK’s best-known brands, including Domino’s and Cadbury, at the agency Big.

Executive Creative Directors Aidan McClure said: 'We’re thrilled that Tim and James are heading up BBC Creative in the North. As well as being thoroughly decent chaps, they’re a brilliant team and are the perfect combination of creative and strategy.”

Jones and Cross added: “We’re honoured to be given this opportunity with not only an iconic broadcaster, but to establish BBC Creative in the North too. We want to help make it the beacon for the northern creative scene and can’t wait to start our new challenge.”